9 days okay between feeds - 100g female.

Hey all,

Ash is about 100 grams and is gaining weight nicely, I think. I have found that ever since moving up to hoppers (at about 78 grams - sept 5th) she has been more 'difficult' to feed.

Difficult in that it takes her longer to finally chow down - when she does chow down. I feed in a separate container, covered with a towel. I find that since the hoppers she just does not eat at 7 days. Now in fairness, the extent of my trying to get her to eat is to leave her be for an hour or so. Maybe 2.

Even at 8-9 days it usually takes an hour before she feeds.

So, I am wondering if I should go back to a 7 day cycle and resort to more 'drastic' measures - well not really drastic, but you know what I mean - leaving her in for 2+ hours, maybe braining, etc.

Or is nine days okay at this weight? Seems like it might be a little on the longer side.

Such a drastic difference from my son's snake who will often have the feeder in her mouth before you can even get all of her into the feeding container.

Most of mine went to a 14-day schedule once they hit the larger-size food. Only my hatchlings are fed on a weekly schedule.

9 days between feedings certainly shouldn't have any health implications on a snake, but I'm surprised a 100 gram corn would be like that. I find that 50-200 range to be when they are eating machines. I'd just double check the temps and see if there isn't some reason. Is she by chance a lavender or bloodred morph?

She is an anery. Temps should be fine. about 82-86 on warm side. 70-73ish on cool side.

She was never one to immediately eat. But it was after moving to hoppers that I had to start spacing the feeding days out more. Maybe I will try 7 days again and just keep her in her feed container for a little longer.

Not really a big deal (I think) one way or the other.

Try feeding in the viv. It could be the move if she's a shy snake.

Chip said:

Try feeding in the viv. It could be the move if she's a shy snake.

Click to expand...

Maybe. Worry a bit about ingesting substrate. Guess there are ways to minimize that though.

Any idea how long a feeder can be left at room temperature before it goes 'bad' and could harm snakey?

I feed most of mine in their viv, and haven't had any problems (I have a few that stronly prefer to not be moved after eating). If you're worried about substrate injestion, you can try putting the mouse on a small paper plate or piece of paper towel (although I find my snakes generally yank the mouse to wherever they're most comfortable eating).

I usually don't leave a feeder longer than overnight...although that's only with pinks. The big snakes rarely leave theirs for more than a heartbeat after it's dropped into their tank.